Fabaceae
Medicago lupulina

Black Medic

Stems prostrate to upright. Plant bears fine hairs. Leaves consist of 3 leaflets, each 1/5–4/5 in. long, finely toothed on upper half. Flowers tiny, yellow, pea-like, in round to spiky clusters at top of stalks arising along stems. Seedpods black, tightly coiled about 5 times, without prickles. Grows in disturbed areas and forests at low to high elevations. A native of Eurasia. Introduced as a forage crop, now grows over most of the United States. A common lawn weed.

  • Rarity: Locally Common
  • Flowering Time: Late Spring, Early Summer
  • Life Cycle: Annual, Perennial
  • Height: 4--20 inches
  • Habitat: East-Side Forest, West-Side Forest, Disturbed
  • Found In: Steens, Wallowas, Mt. Rainier Np, Olympic Np, N Cascades Np
  • Native: No

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